Truth behind 360-exclusive TR:U DLC deal revealed

Wasn't a case of 'let's make these levels and only give them to Microsoft', explains creative director.

Tomb Raider: Underworld developer Crystal Dynamics has revealed the truth behind the controversial Xbox 360 exclusive downloadable content deal that has left PS3 and PC gamers out in the cold.

Speaking to VideoGamer.com in an interview to be published later today, creative director Eric Lindstrom said that the 360-exclusive DLC isn't content cut from the main game but "especially made", and only came about after Microsoft approached the developer.

Earlier this month publisher Eidos announced plans for two brand new chapters providing up to six hours of additional gameplay, the first of which will be available to download before the end of the year.

Tomb Raider: Underworld - Beneath the Ashes, which will be available this Christmas, takes place after the Underworld story has finished and will feature a new environment to explore, additional secrets to unlock and different enemies to fight. Tomb Raider: Underworld - Lara's Shadow, planned for early 2009, will introduce players to a new playable character.

Lindstrom explained that the new chapters are "not part of the main game" and that Microsoft approached them to make the extra content.

"To be honest, it completely came down in the other way," he said. "We were approached by Microsoft, who asked us if we could make some downloadable content for them. It was a great opportunity, it was a great deal and we're happy to do it. The DLC that we're making for Microsoft is especially made. It's not part of the main game that we saved - we put all the game out there that we were going to put out there. Now we're going to the trouble of adding on spaces where they logically make sense, telling parts of the story."

The 360-exclusive Tomb Raider: Underworld DLC is the latest in a string of deals secured by Microsoft for its console. 360-exclusive GTA IV and Fallout 3 DLC is inbound, a strategy that has drawn criticism from some quarters for being unfair to owners of other gaming platforms.

Lindstrom added: "Whenever you make a story like Tomb Raider, you're only telling part of it. We come up with all these logical motivations and rationale behind the scenes that inform what story the player understands - but there are all kinds of details that never see the light of day. Rather than making up a bunch of new stuff, there's plenty out there that's never been told - that was never really going to be told - but that we now have a chance to do it, and we're doing it. So it really wasn't about, 'let's make these levels and only give them to Microsoft'. It kinda came around the other way."

What do you think about the 360-exclusive Tomb Raider: Underworld DLC? Let us know in the comments section below.

Lissa

Honestly, it doesn't matter. Like even if it continues it would mean the company that made the game will be losing money from the other console anyway as their game will only sell on 1. This means okies they get paid from Microsoft, they add the content to the system. Well, they just missed out on larger number is sells w/o doing it for both. So in the long run it's the dev's lost not the console.

Charlie

I think that it is utter BULL sh*t!

If your going to make a game for a specific console, then do so... don't do it AFTER it's been on others!
Like Tomb Raider, Lara has been on the PS systems originally for YEARS!!!
and now, XBox has a cut piece of her story?
wtf?!!!
I will never get an xBox, I really don't care for them...
I think if they are gunna make extra content for you to get, ESPECIALLY, if it is gunna have plot points of any kind, It should hit all of the original consoles...
No monopolies on GAMES....

both companies, Microsoft and Eidos disappoint me by this.
Sony would do the same, despite the fact I LOVE Playstation.....
b/c it is simply not fair to the gamer.....

Wazza

Microsoft is wasting it's money. I already own a 360, but I'll still buy the PC version, because that's how I prefer to play TR - mouse and keyboard. Once I've played the full version of TR:U, I'm hardly likely to want a few extra side chapters - that's like watching deleted scenes for a really excellent movie (i.e. tempting, but ultimately hollowing).

Bob

Aaron

Considering that I have been a loyal Tomb Raider fan since the beginning I have naturally had a Playstation, PS2 and now PS3...so to now not have access to the DLC is just crap! I dont really want to buy an XBOX just for additional game play!!!

Panzerdemon

Luis X

I don't think there is anything wrong with what microsoft is doing. They aren't cheating anyone they are going out finding titles that people like and actually paying for extra content to be developed for their system. It like when nintendo had square enix make a mario role play game for them or namco make a starfox game for them. The only thing is that this is not a full game and it is to property owned by that company. This is a good way for microsoft to give the 360 an advantage over other systems.

My question are:

If microsoft paid them to make it. Does this mean that when we pay for the content does the money go to microsoft or the company making the Add-on?

Is the money that microsoft gets from live subscriber helping them to do this? If so I say aha it really is worth being a live subscriber.

tomtom

The Dude

Tomb Raider became big on the Playstation, like so many series. Bringing it to the Xbox is, how to put this mildly, understandable. But leaving the Playstationgamers out in the cold when Microsoft sways a bag of money is sickening! Developers become Microslaves. Sit and be silent when the big MS speaks. I was going to buy the game for my PS3 but after this DL desaster I´m not so sure anymore. Think I´ll pass this one. This moneyrace has to stop. MS has to stop killing of the gamesmarket, the will kill off all creativety.
Thanks there´s dev´s like Insomniac!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

magician

Still sucks for all the people not buying the 360 version. Oh and I am sure that by approached they mean this http://www.surveybounty.com/images/moneyhat.jpg
Oh well, lets see if the game is actually any good before we all go tearing each other apart over DLC.

download

like panzerdemon said who cares about sh*ttiy DLC for tomb raider. as ps1 owner and ps2 owner i rape lara croft back on those systems. tomb raider is dead to me now that UNCHARTED showed something new and improve. so microsoft can write there seven or eight figure checks for DLC. tomb raider is nothing new and improved as well as gta4.